Mountaineers hold off James Madison

Nov. 24, 2007

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BOONE – Call it destiny, call it luck, call it poor coaching – whatever it was, Appalachian State absolutely stole a 28-27 win over James Madison Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

The Dukes (8-4) outgained ASU by more than 100 yards, rushed for more than 300 yards, had an edge of more than 2-to-1 in time of possession and still found a way to lose at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Two crucial coaching decisions by JMU’s Mickey Matthews changed the game in the final three minutes. Ahead 27-22 with less than three minutes remaining, the Dukes faced fourth-and-1 on their 32-yard line. After previously converting 11-of-19 third-down plays and 4-of-4 on fourth down, Matthews disdained the punt. A defense that allowed 312 yards rushing finally made a stand, and five plays later ASU (10-2) scored the winning touchdown.After Devon Moore made a 20-yard gain on a diving catch on an under-thrown ball on fourth-and-4, ASU quarterback Armanti Edwards ran into the end zone from 4 yards out on the next play for a 28-27 lead with 70 seconds left to play for the Mountaineers, who are attempting to win the national championship for the third year in a row.But the Dukes completed a long pass and a couple of runs that gave them first-and-goal at the Mountaineers’ 9-yard line. Instead of kicking a field goal with 31 seconds remaining, Matthews decided to run one more play. Freshman running back Jamal Sullivan was stripped by ASU lineman Gary Tharrington, and linebacker Pierre Banks recovered to the delight of the majority of 14,040 in attendance. “We were a fumble away from losing,” said Edwards, who rushed for 132 yards and three scores and passed for 126 yards.